Alabama Tops Associated Press' Preseason Football Poll

Alabama head coach Nick Saban celebrates with his team after defeating LSU 21-0 in the BCS National Championship game on Jan. 9, 2012, in New Orleans.

Gerald HerbertAssociated Press

Originally published on August 17, 2013 8:31 pm

Alabama has snagged the top spot in The Associated Press preseason college football poll as the team sets its sights on a third-straight national title.

The AP writes:

"The [Crimson] Tide received 58 of 60 first-place votes from the media panel to easily outdistance No. 2 Ohio State and match Florida in 2009 for the highest percentage of first-place votes received in the 63-year history of the preseason rankings.

The Buckeyes received one first-place vote.

Oregon is No. 3, followed by Stanford and Georgia, which received the other first-place vote."

"History might not be on Alabama's side when it comes to starting No. 1. The last team to be a preseason No. 1 and also finish the season there was in 2004 when USC did it. Florida State also did it in 1999. According to ESPN Stats & Info, there have been five teams since 1990 to garner at least 50 first-place votes. None of those have gone on to win the national title."